My system has continued to evolve over the past 5 years with the one constant being the Rockport Arrakis 2 bi-amplified speakers. They have continued to amaze me that as my electronics have changed and continued to improve, the Arrakis have continued to grow with the electronics as well. Every time I thought I had reached their sonic limit, I have been proven wrong and I am very happy about that.
I have now completely eliminated all tube based components in my system. I have always felt that if I could get the sound that I wanted without tubes, that would be wonderful but I never thought that would be possible. The combination of the TotalDAC digital front end and the Steve Dobbins Beat SE turntable and LT tonearm paired with the CH Precision P1 phono stage, the CH Precision L10 line stage and the CH Precision M10 amplifiers (run in active bi-amplification mode) have achieved this for me.
I have upgraded to the CH C10 replacing the CH C1.2 DAC with X1 power supply.
Roon Nucleus Plus
Nordost QNET
Nordost QNET Switch powered by the Nordost QSOURCE LPS.
Nordost Odin Gold power cord
I am using a Nordost Odin Gold power cord for Nordost QSOURCE LPS that powers the Nordost QNET Switch and several Nordost QPOINT resonators.
Nordost Valhalla 2 Ethernet Cables (2)
I am using 2 of the Nordost Valhalla 2 ethernet cables. The first one connects between the QNET Switch and the Roon Nucleus Plus. The second is from the QNET switch to the CH Precision C10 DAC.
Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
Nordost Odin 2 Balanced IC's from the CH Precision C10 DAC to the CH Precision L10 true monaural preamp.
Shunyata Research Everest 8000 Power Distributor
I am now using the Shunyata Everest 8000 power distributor which has replaced the Shunyata Triton V3 in my system for my front end electronics. I use a Nordost Odin Gold power cord for the Everest.
Shunyata Research Hydra DPC 6 V3 power conditioner
I have the Shunyata DPC 6 V3 power conditioner for my computer based audio gear. I have my Nordost Qsource LPS plugged into the DPC 6 V3.
The DPC 6 V3 is powered by an Echole Omnia power cord from a wall outlet.
Steve Dobbins The Beat SE
I have recently replaced my wonderful Steve Dobbins The Beat turntable with Steve's latest turntable, The Beat SE. The Beat SE is a complete and thorough re-design of the original Beat turntable with about 99% of the table different from the original Beat. I have had the original Beat in my system for 8 years and it has undergone several upgrades during this timeframe that always further improved the sonics, but nothing prepared me for the improvement that the Beat SE has made in my analog playback.
June 29 2021 Update: I just replaced the umbilical power cord connection between the Beat SE power supply and the Beat SE turntable with a new umbilical power cord that Steve worked on with Nordost. The results are simply amazing.
October 1 2021 Update: Steve has now done further modifications to the Beat SE external power supply with internal wire upgrades with wiring from Nordost as well as adding an external grounding connection that enables me to ground the Beat SE power supply to my CAD GCR reference ground box.
Nordost Odin 2 Power Cord
This Odin 2 power cord is used on the outboard power supply for The Beat SE turntable. This is plugged into the Shunyata Everest 8000 power conditioner.
Schroeder LT Tonearm with Magnesium arm tube
I had my previous Schroeder LT tonearm with wood arm tube modified to the even better LT tonearm with Magnesium arm tube. It has the Lyra Olympus SL cartridge mounted on it and it is truly amazing to hear this combination. This arm has replaced the Reed 2A tonearm on my "Beat" turntable. The Olympus SL has never sounded anything like this.
June 29 2021 Update: I have upgraded the LT arm cartridge mounting plate for my Lyra Atlas SL Lambda to a new one that consists of a carbon fiber top and bottom plate with a copper plate in the middle between the 2 carbon fiber layers.
Schroeder LT tone arm with Magenisum arm tube
This is a new LT tonearm but now with an arm tube made from Magnesium instead of wood. It is a very significant upgrade in sonics. I plan to have my existing LT arm modified to have the Magnesium arm tube as well.
Lyra Atlas SL Lambda cartridge
I have now replaced my wonderful Lyra Etna SL cartridge with the new Lyra Atlas SL Lambda cartridge. My previous experience was that the original Etna SL cartridge was the best sounding of all of the Lyra cartridges. But not any longer. I was fortunate enough to be able to compare the new Lambda versions of the Etna SL and the Atlas SL in my system and the Atlas SL Lambda is simply stunning to hear in my system. The new Lambda Etna SL is also wonderful and better than the original Etna SL, but the Lambda Atlas SL is superior in every way.
CH Precision True Dual Monaural P10 phono stage
I have now upgraded my 4 box true mono CH P1/X1 phono stage to the CH Precision P10 4 box True Dual Monaural phono stage.
Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords
I am now using two of the Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords to power the two power supplies for the CH Precision P10 true dual monaural phono stage.
Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
I am now using Nordost Odin 2 balanced IC's between the CH Precision P10 true dual monaural phono stage and the CH Precision L10 true dual monaural preamp.
Computer Audio Design (CAD) GC3 Ground Controls
I am using 2 of the CAD GC3 Ground Controls. One GC3 is used for signal ground with each of my CH Precision M10 amplifiers and the second GC3 is used for Earth Ground with my Rockport Arrakis external active crossover.
Computer Audio Design (CAD) Ground Control GCR
I am using the CAD Ground Control Reference (GCR) in my system. This is used for signal grounds for my front end components and the earth ground for my Shunyata Everest 8000 power distributor.
CH Precision L10 True Dual Monaural LInestage
The new CH Precision L10 True Dual Monaural linestage has replaced my long time reference, the CH Precision L1 true dual monaural linestage. As good as the 4 box version of the CH L1 linestage is, The CH Precision L10 True Dual Monaural (4 box) linestage surpasses it in every audio parameter.
Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords
I am using two of the Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords to power the two CH Precision L10 external power supplies for my CH Precision L10 true dual monaural preamp.
CH Precision M10 amplifiers
I now am using the CH Precision M10 mono block amplifiers. I have 2 of these and I run them in their active bi-amplification mode. These have just replaced (11/30/2021) my wonderful CH Precision M1.1 mono block amplifiers.
Nordost Odin Gold Power Cords (4)
I am using 4 of the Nordost Odin Gold power cords on my CH Precision M10 amps. Each CH M10 amp outboard power supply requires 2 power cords each with 20 amp IEC connectors.
Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
I use a 9 meter run of Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC's from the CH Precision L10 true dual monaural preamp to the Rockport Arrakis 2 external crossover.
This is the active external crossover for the Rockport Arrakis 2 speaker. It takes the feed from the preamplifier and then splits the signal for the bass drivers and all of the upper frequency drivers.
Nordost Odin Gold Power Cord
I am now using a Nordost Odin Gold power cord on my Rockport Arrakis external crossover. This replaced the already great Nordost Odin 2 power cord.
Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC
I am now using 2 pairs of Nordost Odin 2 XLR IC's to connect the Rockport external crossover to the CH Precision M10 amplifiers.
Nordost Odin Gold Speaker Cables
I am using 2 pairs of Nordost Odin Gold speaker cables to bi-amplify the Rockport Arrakis 2 speakers.
Rockport Arrakis 2
My speakers are the bi ampified version of the Rockport Arrakis 2 with the active external crossover. I am driving the speakers with a pair of CH Precision M10 amplifiers run in active bi amplification mode.
Furutech GTX/NCF outlets
I have 13 of the Furutech GTX/NCF outlets with the GTX outlet Frames and the 105D NCF Carbon Fiber outlet covers.
HRS SXR
I have 3 of the HRS SXR audio racks. Each rack is a 4 shelf version and I am using M3X2 isolation bases with G7 footers. These racks and bases hold the majority of my front end components. For the SXR base that holds my Beat SE turntable, I have added the SXR solid brace insert.
HRS SRX with M3X2 isolation base
I have 4 of the HRS SRX amp stands with the M3X2 isolation bases with G7 footers, These are for the power supplies and my CH Precision M10 amps.
Nordost Sort Kones
I am now using Nordost Sort Kones under many of my components. I am using a combination of both the BC and TC sort kones. I am using them under all of my TotalDAC digital components - both DACs, the Outboard Reclocker, the Streamer, the Live Power supply, the D1 player and the NAS. I also use them under my Beat SE turntable outboard power supply (not the turntable itself) and my Rockport Arrakis external crossover.
Isonic Ultrasonic RCM
I have added the Isonic ultrasonic RCM. This is a wonderful RCM. I can do up to 10 LP's at once. It doesn't dry the records - but that is simple to do on my Loricraft.
Custom LP Record Cabinets
There are now 3 of these beautiful LP record cabinets that I commissioned a friend to build for me. Its so much easier to find the LP that I am looking for and to put it back than it was with more traditional shelves that I was using before.
I am just starting the break in process with the Allnic H5000, but paired with the Schroeder LT arm and the Lyra Atlas cartridge (which is also just breaking in) it's obvious to me that this will be very special.
System edited: Updated some pictures to show the Lyra Atlas cartridge and The Beat turntable with both arms - Reed 2A/Lyra OIympos SL combo and the Schroeder LT/Lyra Atlas combo.
Steve actually does both. He actually builds the arms for the North America customers from the parts that are mostly sourced in Germany and then he sells and installs the arms for those customers NA customers.
Babybear, What do you mean when you write that Steve did a wonderful job in "building" the arm? Does he assemble the arm in the States or is he the US distributor who goes around installing it in customer's systems?
Yes, Frank has done a wonderful job in bringing the LT arm design to fruition and Steve has done a wonderful job in building the arm and installing it on both John's and my TT's.
Nice to hear that this wonderful tonearm from a proven German designer really performs nicely, sweet! Thanks to both you and John for sharing your experiences with this new Schroeder LT tonearm. I look forward to reading more about this LT.
Here are some of my impressions of the sonic improvements that I have heard with the Schroeder LT arm in my system.
1. There is no inner groove distortion that I can hear at all. I used several LP's just playing the inner grooves, the middle grooves and the outer grooves. I could not hear any degradation in sound on any of them. This is one of the advantages of the LT arm that I was expecting and it delivered perfectly.
2. The improvement in bass is startling. There is a large increase in bass power, punch and slam (use your favorite adjective). I used 3 LP's to verify what I heard in this regard - Lyle Lovett's Release Me - track 1 - Garfield's Blackberry Blossom, Dave Brubeck's Time Out - Take Five and Cantante Domino the first few tracks of Side 2. In particular, the pipe organ on Cantante Domino took such a leap forward in power in the very lowest registers it was amazing. I have never heard any of these LP's sound as stunning as I heard them with the LT arm.
3. In the midrange and upper frequencies there is a clarity and purity to the sound that is very easy to hear. At the same time, there is a wonderful refinement to the sound. One of the LP's that I used to verify this is the second side of Cantante Domino. When you hear the soloist soaring above the choir in such a pure and refined voice it is simply amazing.
4. There is an increase in resolution that surprised me as well. On the same Cantante Domino LP, there is one spot on the second track of the second side where the female soloist really soars above the choir. It is my favorite cut on the LP and each time that I have listened to it, at the height of her solo there is what I thought was a slight distortion in her voice for about a second. Since I never heard that anywhere else I just assumed it was the pressing. With the LT arm, I realized it wasn't distortion at all but a tick in the record pressing as I could clearly hear her voice separate from the tick now.
5. There is an overall sense of ease and naturalness to the sound - it just sounds less strained than what I had been hearing previously.
Bottom line for me is that with the Schroeder LT arm in my system, vinyl playback has taken another major leap forward in sound quality. I am anxiously awaiting for my Allnic H5000 DHT phono stage to arrive as based on what I have previously heard, my expectation is for another major step forward.
I will post my impressions about what I heard fairly soon. John and I live about 30 minutes apart so it was convenient for Steve to come down and set up both arms. John and I have talked about the improvements that each of us heard and they were very similiar. I keep trying to imagine what the sound will be like when my Allnic H5000 DHT phono arrives paired with the Schroeder LT arm/Atlas combo.
I got to hear Arine's system briefly saturday...can't wait to get more time...but since we both got the new Schroder LT arms...I have to echo Arnie's comment. Stunning.
I could not imagine the difference from my prior arm...i suspected better..and certainly different...but not this big of leap...
Congratulations on the analog upgrades. You and John Frech have discovered this new LT arm and seem very impressed. I look forward to your report on the sonic improvements. I did meet Steve Dobbins at RMAF 2010 and heard his Beat turntable. I kept returning to that room all weekend. Great sound and Steve was a very friendly and knowledgeable guy.
System edited: I made some upgrades this past weekend for my analog front end. Steve Dobbins flew down to visit with me for a few days this past weekend to make some changes. First he added a fifth Stillpoints Ultra 5 footer under the center of The Beat turntable. Then he added three Ultra 5 footers to the outboard power supply of The Beat. Then he installed a stainless steel arm pod (replacing the standard brass arm pod) to be used under the amazing Schroeder Linear Tracking tonearm that he installed. Finally, he installed the Lyra Atlas cartridge onto the Schroeder LT arm. The resulting improvements in vinyl playback are nothing short of stunning. I will post separately about those sonic improvements.
System edited: I've changed the IC between the MSB Diamond DAC and the Absolare preamp from an Echole Signature XLR IC to the new Echole Omnia XLR IC. I've also cleaned up the descriptions of where i use various Stillppoints footers.
I listened to my Allnic H3000 again after hearing the Allnic H5000 DHT. The Allnic H3000 is a great phono stage. But the Allnic H5000 DHT is very special. So I ordered the H5000. Looking forward to getting it.
I was very happy to finally meet Albert and we had a great time. He and I hear things very much the same and value the same sonic attributes in an audio system.
I plan to visit with him in about 4 weeks.
I'll let you know my impressions of the H3000 to the H5000 DHT.
Albert is a class act. I am glad you 2 met. We go back nearly 20 years...might be worth hearing his system soon...it's pretty special like yours! What I love most about visiting Albert (besides the great company) is his music collection...walls and walls of vinyl and now some tape...
Will be curious to read about your impressions as you listen back again to your Allnic H3000 vs the H5000DHT
I just wanted to thank Albert Porter for driving down to visit me this week. We had previously spoken by phone but had never met and we had a great time listening to vinyl and just talking. He also brought down his Allnic H5000 DHT phono stage for me to hear in my system. That is one amazing phono stage. I'll be listening to my Allnic H3000 today and tomorrow to verify that what I heard with the H5000 DHT wasn't a dream, but I am fairly certain it was all real!
System edited: I've just recently added the new Echole Omnia XLR IC between my phono stage and preamp and the new Echole Omnia power cord to power the Absolare Passion Signature preamp. Both of these cables replaced the Echole Signature versions. The Echole Omnia is the new top line of cabling from Echole and is quite a step up in performance even compared to the Echole Signature.
The few folks that I have corresponded with including you and Lloyd relative to the Entreq product and Booboobaer with the Tripoint Troy have certainly convinced me that these types of products can have a very positive effect on audio systems. Even when you have done a very good job of addressing the electrical power distribution of your audio systems. And the descriptions of the types of improvements appear to be consistent with the 2 products (I am sure there are differences as well). Also from what I have been able to read about these online from other users, the results are positive and consistent. I am definitely working to get one or both of these into my system to audition.
